i asked for a shorter working week (3 days one week and 2 days next week rotating), 9 years ago so I could raise my 3 children. This has worked out perfectly for us in terms of work/life balance, but I do feel a bit sore as I know a number of people in the same situation but their employer has signed a form saying they have only 3 days work for that employee. Therefore they can claim benefit for remaining days, which apparently even includes Saturday! Yes, they can work for 3 days and claim for 3 days.
Even in the case of redundancy, many women (sorry I dont mean to be sexist), choose a shorter working week for their next job because they know they will be down very little money because of this.
I do think its a welfare area that needs a complete overhaul.